The Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy

February 8, 2012

Renewable energy production has been on my mind lately. Maybe it’s because our little town is divided on wind power. Some think plunking down a huge windmill at the edge of town is a little spooky.

This infographic points to the pros and cons of alternative energy generation. I was startled to find that wind power eats up habitats too. Those poor bats (see the box to the right of the water buffalo). Now I’m uncertain whether a wind mill is such a good idea…what do you think?

6 Responses to “The Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy”

My big problem with wind power is that it generally destroys the views, the silence/tranquillity and the outside views looking in. It does not return on its promise. The difficult thing with energy is not creation, but storage and transport. We can create energy from so many sources outside of oil, but cannot get it to where and when it is needed easily. This is I believe, where our money needs to go. Not in funding big business projects that are so heavily subsidised, they negate any value they have. But in finding solutions to the real problem with energy.

I’ll stop now, take a breath and step back. I love nature and the mountains, more and more they are merely seen as a place to find wind. Local solutions, turbines next to the village that needs it is another option to look at. Then see how many people think they are a good idea.

All energy sources, whether alternative or fossil fuels all have subsidies one way or another. Either through tax breaks or direct funding. Each source of alternative energy will be a cog in the wheel to replace fossil fuels.

I agree with some of your proposed ideas on the problems with environmentally friendly forms of energy, and I used some of them for my essay. I also feel that renewable energy forms by themselves are not helping, but the combination of many types of renewable sources is our future. Would you mind reading my blog at http://ryansfuturefuels.blogspot.com? I would like to have your perspective. Ryan Radecki The Green Room at Ohio University